Simon Mignolet 6 - dealt well with aerial balls into the box and made a great save from Wayne Rooney's penalty, but had a couple of dodgy moments in possession.

Emre Can 6 - strong and confident bringing the ball out of defence but had a poor final ten minutes, giving the ball away before fouling Daley Blind for the penalty.

Martin Skrtel 6 - solid thoughout, shackling Rooney for large spells of the game but was lucky to avoid punishment for seemingly stamping on United goalkeeper David De Gea.

Mamadou Sakho 7 - fought well and kept United at bay. Fairly comfortable bringing the ball out of defence and whilst he has the odd shaky moment, the Frenchman performed well today.

Raheem Sterling 5 - quiet on the right hand side in a tough outing for the England international. Never really threatened and struggled to impose himself on the game in an unfamiliar right wing-back role.

Jordan Henderson 6 - huffed and puffed but couldn't get Liverpool back into the game. Showed some Gerrard-esque ability again, including long-range passing.

Joe Allen 4 - virtually anonymous in the Liverpool midfield, giving possession away and earning a booking for a foul on Ander Herrera. A display he will want to forget quickly.

Alberto Moreno 4 - went missing for Mata's opener and was careless in possession on a number of occasions in a tough afternoon for the Spaniard.

Adam Lallana 5 - always looked to find space but struggled to get into the game in the first half, and when his big chance in front of goal did arrive, he squandered it in the first half. Subbed at half time.

Philippe Coutinho 7 - a number of bright moments, beating United players with skill as well as setting up Sturridge's goal in the second half.

Daniel Sturridge 6 - took his goal well on his weaker foot and caused some problems but will surely have wanted to be more influential on the game.

Substitutes

Steven Gerrard 0 - how else can you grade a 50-second display involving a petulant red card? Gerrard's stamp on Herrera all but cost Liverpool the game, and he should have known better.

Mario Balotelli 4 - didn't really impact the game after coming on for Moreno.

Olly Dawes

Olly is a Sports Management graduate and aspiring journalist, with most of his work surrounding football or NFL. He has formed two of his own sites, as well as contributing to a number of others before starting with Here Is The City.